KETOLOC - Understanding mitochondrial function and the role of exogenous ketone supplementation in combating exercise intolerance and chronic fatigue in long COVID term effects (long COVID).
The symptoms (mostly fatigue and postexertional symptom exacerbation (PESE)) influence the life of these
patients. The current guidelines for rehabilitation are insufficient and the pathogenesis is not fully understood. The first aim is to understand the role of mitochondrial function (MF) in long COVID, using a cross-sectional study to test if there is a difference in MF between long COVID patients and healthy individuals. The second aim is to validate the COMET measurement system, which measures mitochondrial oxygen consumption on the skin, as a proxy for MF, compared to a Seahorse assay in blood cells. The third aim is to investigate the role of ketone supplementation to mitigate long COVID symptoms. We hypothesize that beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) supplementation can reduce PESE after physical activity in long COVID patients, which will be studied in a cross-over study with 2 interventions: BHB supplementation, BHB combined with quality and quantity adapted nutrition (QuaQua), and the control. Another hypothesis is that BHB supplementation combined with physical rehabilitation reduces long-term fatigue in long COVID patients, which will be studied in a pilot randomized controlled trial. During this trial, the intervention group will receive a physical exercise program, combined with QuaQua and BHB supplementation, while the control group will only receive the exercise program.
More information: https://researchportal.vub.be/en/projects/understanding-mitochondrial-function-and-the-role-of-exogenous-ke
Funding: FWO project
RERE PI: Prof. David Beckwée